New here and know nothing!

[ichitaka05]

First thing first, welcome to the forum.

Here are some of my tip for ya.

• Drive - Drive this car. Without driving, you don't know what upgrade you need.
• Purpose of This Car - What are you trying to accomplish from this car. Show car? Weekend warrior? Track monster? Autox Master? Drift King? There's millions of option here. You decide what you want to make this car. "Functional" have very vague word. What kind of "functional"? Cuz drag "functional" & drift "functional" is totally different thing.
• Grain of Salt - Listen/Read all the member recommend as a grain of salt. One mod might be awesome for one member doesn't mean it is for you either. This is YOUR car, not other member's car.
• Search - There's A TON of. Great information in this forum that member & vendors posts. Search & ye shall receive.
• Local Meet - Meet & greet w local members. There are usual monthly or quarterly meet around you (hopefully), so check regional section. Meet w your local member & see/hear/feel what kind of mods they have done.
• Try New Things - you wrote this is your first RWD, then try new things. If you never been to autox, try em out! Don't need slick tires, BBK w coilovers. Just try out stock & see if something you wanna do THEN upgrades. Never done drag race? Go to local track & drag race. Hell, you won't win much, but you know your car need more & know that it needs power. Do canyon cruise! Take an awesome pic at top of the canyon! Do new & fun things (that's legal).

These are my tip & I'll leave you w Tada-san's tip (Toyota Chief Engineer of FT86 Concept)
"Design/create your 86. May be just a small sticker on the window or full engine swap. 86 that show who you are and proud of."

[finch1750]

Well, if you think swapping sway bars is not touching the suspension you need to spend some more time reading. That changes the car immensly. Strut bars not so much. Might help turn in a bit.

You dont need a tune for most parts, you just dont gain asmuch HP. So a drop in and catback would get the loud part of that covered.

Think about your goal. Springs vary based on the spring rate. Im not sure what the rates of the Eibachs are. Are they even rates or stiffer in the back?

Installing HIDs is more intrsive than LEDs. HIDs you add some wiring, LEDs you swap a bulb.

But its you car. Ive given my .02 and its similar to what others have said. Maybe provide more info on why you want what you do out of the car. What is you driving ability? Make the car exceed your ability is a recipe for diaster. I have learned that the hard way.

[Trmx2]

Originally Posted by finch1750

Well, if you think swapping sway bars is not touching the suspension you need to spend some more time reading. That changes the car immensly. Strut bars not so much. Might help turn in a bit.

You dont need a tune for most parts, you just dont gain asmuch HP. So a drop in and catback would get the loud part of that covered.

Think about your goal. Springs vary based on the spring rate. Im not sure what the rates of the Eibachs are. Are they even rates or stiffer in the back?

Installing HIDs is more intrsive than LEDs. HIDs you add some wiring, LEDs you swap a bulb.

But its you car. Ive given my .02 and its similar to what others have said. Maybe provide more info on why you want what you do out of the car. What is you driving ability? Make the car exceed your ability is a recipe for diaster. I have learned that the hard way.

Actually I am taking everyone's advice into consideration.

What would sway bars do in terms of changing how the car drives? Would it make it worse?

I don't know the spring rate of the eibach springs I remember them saying something like it was very similar so it did not change the drive quality of the FRS very much. It actually makes it slightly stiffer and a bit more responsive. This is what I've read at least.

Recommend some good LEDs? I didn't even know you could do that nowadays. I'm still remembering the days of honda fanatics scrambling to get their hands on those "ultra white xenon like" bulbs. Lol

I want the car to be stiff, responsive, nimble, quick, yet still drive able as a daily driver.

I want it to have a true sports car feel and look. Like a little lotus or Porsche or something like that. Lol (obviously with less power)

I apologize to all for my new-ness I'm very inexperienced at this.

At almost 30 years old I'm just now getting the car tuning itch lol.

So I can install an exhaust and CAI without a tune? What's the sacrifice in terms of less power? I'd want full power potential honestly.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Trmx2

..........I want the car to be stiff, responsive, nimble, quick, yet still drive able as a daily driver.......

Sounds like you best just leave the suspension alone ....

humfrz

[Trmx2]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Sounds like you best just leave the suspension alone ....

humfrz

So I'll probably just do the springs and the tower brace and that's it.

I'll have to find a link to those upgrades I saw and ask the forum what they are.

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by Trmx2

Actually I am taking everyone's advice into consideration.

What would sway bars do in terms of changing how the car drives? Would it make it worse?

I don't know the spring rate of the eibach springs I remember them saying something like it was very similar so it did not change the drive quality of the FRS very much. It actually makes it slightly stiffer and a bit more responsive. This is what I've read at least.

Recommend some good LEDs? I didn't even know you could do that nowadays. I'm still remembering the days of honda fanatics scrambling to get their hands on those "ultra white xenon like" bulbs. Lol

I want the car to be stiff, responsive, nimble, quick, yet still drive able as a daily driver.

I want it to have a true sports car feel and look. Like a little lotus or Porsche or something like that. Lol (obviously with less power)

I apologize to all for my new-ness I'm very inexperienced at this.

At almost 30 years old I'm just now getting the car tuning itch lol.

So I can install an exhaust and CAI without a tune? What's the sacrifice in terms of less power? I'd want full power potential honestly.

Sway bars drastically affect overall chassis stiffness, and even a small bar on this car makes a big change. The car is very well balanced, so adding something can easily upset that. When it comes to handling the biggest things that affect it are springs/struts and sway bars.

Spend some time in the tech section
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=59

And take a look at suspension options as it lists spring rates to compare. Most springs do not make it super stiff. Swift Springs are similar in stiffness to the Eibachs you mentioned, but use a less coil design for better comfort. Might be another brand to look into. I did not like how twitchy the back end felt when pushing the car, so I went with an even spring rate in the RCE Yellows. It's all about preference. I personally couldn't see doing it any other way, except maybe with coilovers and putting the stiffer springs in the front. It may make the car handle better, but it could make the car handle much worse if you don't know exactly what you are getting in to.

A drop in filter and cat back will not yield huge gains to begin with (prob 5-10hp untuned, maybe 10-15 tuned?), but will make the car a bit more responsive. A tune gets the most out of the mods. You don't have to go with a full custom tune though. You could get something like the OpenFlash Tab from Vishnu and use off the shelf open source maps based on your parts. Takes all of 5 minutes to install the tune and your good to go. To get responsiveness it may not be numbers you want to chase but better power and torque curve.

As far as LEDs, check out the lighting vendor forum and there are a ton of great options. I got all mine from Automation Lighting, but there are plenty of vendors to choose from with packages to suit your needs.

Also, it hasn't really been touched on but you mentioned getting wheels. Stock tires on this car are not grippy at all. If you upgrade to a true performance summer tire you will be amazed at the grip this car has all of a sudden.

[Vracer111]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Sounds like you best just leave the suspension alone ....

humfrz

+1, you do not NEED to touch a single thing on the suspension; it's a pure-bred sports car from the factory, just like a Porsche Cayman, which was the target vehicle for the GT86/FR-S/BRZ. Sign up at a performance driving school and drive it stock. Once you get used to the car and actually push it you will see how incredible it is BONE STOCK; turn off the traction/stability control and the car comes alive while still being easily controllable.

There are a few changes I'd recommend for anyone though:

#1. Aluminum steering rack bushings. This is how the car should have come from the factory - compared to the soft stock rubber ones there is a big improvement in steering feel and driving precision for very little money invested ($30-$50). The weird hesitation of the chassis around midway through turning in is eliminated and replaced with direct, immediate, linear responsiveness. No way you'll want to go back to the stock bushings. Best bang for the buck if you want to improve the driving feel of the FR-S.

#2. Lighter weight wider wheels with stock sized tires. 17x7.5 or 17x8 wheels that weight less than 17lbs on 215/45-17 tires that weight no more than the stock Primacy HPs really improves the ride quality and handling. I'm running 17x7.5 17lb +40mm offset wheels on the stock tires and it is a very noticeable difference over the stock wheels. The car will be it's most responsive due to less weight and the wheel width maximizing the tire sidewall support. Best to get a tire with a tread width that matches the wheel width. Less unsprung mass = less upsetting of the chassis. A 2lb reduction in unsprung mass is a noticeable difference...but get as light a wheel as you can afford!

#3. Drop in air filter. stock paper one is a PAIN to get in/out the air box with a slicone intake tube (no flexibility) so I bought the K&N and Perrin foam one. I really like the Perrin one over the K & N for better filtration and less flow restriction as it accumulates dirt.

#4. Catback/axleback exhuast system... car needs a non-stock exhaust system, stock just doesn't cut it at all under 5krpm. Tons of options...almost every single one better than stock.

#5. Nice solidly designed one-piece front strut tower brace. The Grimmspeed one has made a noticeable difference over the previous 1 piece bar I had from another manufacturer - ride is improved with the welded .125" thick wall tube steel straight as an arrow design helping reduce harshness and crash over bumps and seams/dips/holes.

People take out the intake noise generator because it is a gimmick which installing a proper intake and exhaust system fixes. And taking it out really cleans up the engine bay nicely as well.

Also if you want something in the interior that really makes a big difference look into getting better shift boots and handbrake boots...the stock FR-S one's are horribly cheap looking and it's amazing how big a difference just changing out those 2 pieces to genuine Alcantara material ones makes:

[mfbmike]

Originally Posted by Trmx2

Hey Mike, where in Miami are you? I plan on driving the car plenty as it's going to be my daily driver. I definitely want some good wheels/tires for the grip, and I'm aware that it really increases the driving performance of the car. Motor Trend actually did a really nice video review where they drove the car with stock setup, then with some performance tires and wheels and shaved off 1.8 seconds from their track time.

Sweetwater/Doral/Kendall area.

[PabloN]

Originally Posted by fazm

That sounds awesome. Can you share a link or part number?

Link to underbody panels (they cost roughly $250 + $50 shipping):
http://www.japanparts.com/db/parts_d...=56&submit.y=3

If you decide to get them, here's how to install them (see the "DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Guides" section of FT86CLUB for tons other useful DIY stuff):
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38946

[Trmx2]

Originally Posted by finch1750

Sway bars drastically affect overall chassis stiffness.....

What would I notice in terms of this, feeling wise if you can describe it? I DO like stiffness and I like zippy, tight handling. When there is almost no body roll and the center of gravity in a car seems almost attached to the ground. I like that feeling, I feel like cars zip around turns and corners really well that way. I don't know what it would feel like on the FRS though. I'd need to drive a car with that setup. Coilovers really? What do you recommend? I'm going to check into those springs you mentioned.


As far as the drop in filter and cat-back would you recommend that instead of the CAI? I was looking at the Takeda CAI, but I have also considered the drop in. Tuning, ok, pardon my noobness, but how and what do I do in terms of that? How does that affect warranty? I heard about that OpenFlash from perusing here but I still know nothing about it. Better power and torque curve ratio is something that I am interested in, so I do agree there.



Oh yeah I definitely want a good wheel/tire setup I live in Florida so performance tires/summer tires we can use year round here with no issues. I had some really nice Yokohama's on my crappy Mazda 3 and that drastically changed how well it drove, it was great. I've also had some good luck with the higher end Sumitomo's. I am definitely going to be getting a nice tire/wheel setup, but that's $$$$ that I unfortunately cannot afford to dish out right now, especially with a soon to come car payment


You've been a lot of help, I appreciate all your advice and time.

[Trmx2]

Originally Posted by mfbmike

Sweetwater/Doral/Kendall area.

Oh awesome, I am in that area daily since I work and attend FIU. I wonder if we've seen each other? lol

[jarviz]

Originally Posted by humfrz

......actually, they are slower.

Why? Because, all the dirt they collect, is heavy and it slows them down ....

humfrz

shaddup! it's just more visible on ours!

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by jarviz

shaddup! it's just more visible on ours!

Well, maybe so ...... but.....the "swirls" do set up a micro-turbulence on the surface of a black car .... thus slowing it down ....

humfrz

[randel_07]

Originally Posted by Boom

Ravens are also 2hp faster than all the other colors

but doesn't it also absorb more sunlight which makes it heavier